Arkansas Governor Backs Bill Keeping Darr Office Vacant

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe says he'd sign into law legislation that would allow him to avoid calling a special election to replace Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, who is set to resign this week over campaign finance and ethics violations.

Beebe told reporters Wednesday that legislative leaders have shown him a draft bill that would give him the discretion on whether to call the special election for Darr. House and Senate leaders say they'd rather keep the office vacant, since the election will be in November.

Darr announced earlier this month he would resign Feb. 1 after being fined $11,000 by the state Ethics Commission.

Beebe said he doesn't know if there are enough votes to consider the measure during next month's legislative session, but called the proposal acceptable.

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An Arkansas House panel is recommending that two members running for Congress be allowed to raise campaign funds during next month's legislative session.

The House Rules Committee on Wednesday voted to recommend exempting candidates for federal office from a prohibition on raising money during the legislative session. The Legislature convenes its fiscal session Feb. 10.

State Reps. Bruce Westerman and Ann Clemmer are running for two congressional seats. Westerman had asked the panel whether the fundraising prohibition applies to federal candidates.

Republican John Cooper has won a northeast Arkansas state Senate seat, giving Republicans an extra seat in the Legislature in a race that was viewed as an early bellwether for this year's general election.